Vent for containers



April 30, 1935. c. H. ROLLASON VENT FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 28, 1952 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 30, 1935 UNITED STATES VENT FOB. CONTAINERS 7 Charles H. Rollason, Wheeling, W. Va., assignor to Wheeling Steel Corporation,

Wheeling,

W. Va., a corporation of Delaware Application October 28, 1932, Serial No. 639,987

. Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of shipping and storing receptacles, containers or the like, and more particularly to a vent adapted to be applied to containers of the character adapted for the dispensing of fluids.

It has heretofore been proposed in the art to which the present invention relates to provide fluid shipping, storing and dispensing containers with vents of difierent types. In many cases the vent has comprised an opening remote from the pouring opening or spout, and adapted to be closed by means of a suitable plug. In other cases the vent has been in the form of a depression at a suitable point in the container adapted to be punctured prior to discharging the contents from the container. In still other cases the structure has comprised a specially constructed vent tube or the like built into the container as an integral part thereof at the time of its manufacture.

To those skilled in the art, it will be appreciated that it is 'customary'in the production of containers to manufacture more or less standard covers in large quantities, and then apply such covers or heads to difierent containers. In some cases a user will desire a vent in 'a cover while in other cases the vent may not be'specified. It is therefore desirable, and the invention has for one of itsobjects, to provide what may be termed a. detachable vent which may be applied to a wide variety of covers or heads previously manufactured, and prior to their assembly on container bodies.

In this manner, a single set of dies may be utilized for the manufacture 'of standardheads, and these heads may then be used, at the pleasmeet the manufacturer, in accordance with orders received by him, either with or without vents.

In this manner the carrying in stock of a large number of difierent types of covers some with and'some without vents may be obviated, and the manufacturing cost of containers maybe considerably reduced since standard dies are made more readily available.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown more or less diagrammatically, and for purposes of illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a detail sectional view, partly in elevation, through one form of head having my detachable vent in position therein, the parts being illustrated in position ready for pouring;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the parts in position for shipment;

ing a modified embodiment of my invention; and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view along the line VIVI of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before proceeding with the detail description of my improved vent, I wish it to be understood that the vent is of such construction that it may be applied to covers or heads of a wide variety of different types, so that the portion of the container herein illustrated is not to be consideredras in any wise limiting the. invention.

Having reference more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have illustrated a more or less common form of head-or cover 2 having a pouring spout or opening 3 suitably secured in position therein adjacent one edge of the cover in convenient location for pouring. The head or cover'is shown associated with a container body, it being understood that it is adapted for application to a body of any desired type or construction.

The pouring spout, while it might constitute an integral part of the cover, is herein illustrated as comprising a separate member suitably seamed or crimpedinto position and threaded to receive a closure cap 4. The inner portion of the spout is conveniently shaped to provide a restricted pouring opening 5terrninating in a pouring lip 6. The neck and lip are herein illustrated as being'formed by a reversely bent or downwardly and inwardly projectingskirt-like portion l. vides an annular space 8 surrounding the pouring opening 5. While the utility of the invention is-not limited to special pouring spouts of this construction, it is particularly adapted thereto since the downturned portion 1 forms a partially protectivehousing, as will be hereinafter more fully understood, for the retaining means for the vent. p I

This vent is herein illustrated as comprising a vent tube of generally rectangular cross section having a substantially horizontally disposed portion 9 underlying the cover and an upwardly extending portion I0 adapted to lie within the pouring neck,5. An extension ll on'the portion 9 forms a pivotal mounting for the vent tube, this mounting cooperating with a transversely extending portion [2 of a spring wire mounting and retaining member. This retaining member at Such a reversely bent portion prosition illustrated in Figure 1 as soon as the closure 4 is removed. V Y

Along the opposite side: of the vent tube the spring holding and retaining member is formed. with an arm l6 extending to a point adjacent the portion 10 of the tube and then across the tube and terminating in a curved pouring :noz'zle en Normally the portion l l ocgaging'portion l1. I cupies the position illustrated in full 'linesi'n Figure 4, but when contracted intothedotted line,v

position of this figure may be easily slipped into 7 position within a pouring spout of 'anyd'esired contour or construction, the outward e gpansion thereof holding the parts in position with 'suffi cient rigidity for the purposes contemplated.

Fromthe' foregoing description it will be apparent thatI have provided a detachable vent which may be quickly applied to a container of either-standard or specialconstruction, and held therein'in such relation that upon removal of the closure the free end of thevent tube will project-upwardly out of. the container intoa region where an ample supply of venting air is available. In Figures Sand 6 there is shown, by way of illustration only, another embodiment of the inventionflIri accordance with this embodiment, the vent tube I8, which may be of exactly the construction before described, is mounted on a retaining member comprising spaced. arms l9 each terminating in a curved mounting portion 20. 'These portions. normally occupy. the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 5, but may be easily compressed into. the position indicated in dotted lines for insertion into a spout or. pouring opening.

The desired spring pressure for. urging the vent into pouring position corresponding to Figure 1, may be obtained, insuch a'structure, by

l a separate spring member 2! carried by the vent tube and adapted to engage the under side of the cover for normallyurging the free end 22 upwardly as soon'as the closure is removed.

It will further be understood that the detachable vent herein illustrated inay be utilized with equal facility and advantage in. a container of the type having not only a normal closure of the,

character indicated, but .also a separateinner seal adaptedto permit dispensing the contents of the containeronly when it has been ruptured or removed.

'The advantages ofxthe present invention arise from the provision of a detachable vent, regardless of its particular construction or'. contour, adapted tobedetachably secured in position to the pouring opening of a container, and especial- 1y where it includes a mounting of such nature as to tend to swing a portion of the vent upwardly into aposition. where it is entirely free from any choking tendency by the liquid being dis"- pensed.

While I have hereinillustrated an'd;described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it willbe understood that changes inthe construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing either fromthe spirit pouring opening of a vent disposed in venting relation to said opening, means cooperating with the receptacle for attaching the vent to the receptacle, and resilient means additional to said -'firs 't' mehtioned.meahs for urging the vent to operative position.

3. The combination with a receptacle having a pouring opening of a vent disposed in venting relationto said opening, means cooperating with the receptacle for attaching the vent to the receptacle, there being a pivotal connection between the vent. and' saidmeans, and resilient means additional to said first mentioned means for urging the vent to operative position.

4. The combination with a pouring spout; of a spring mounting. member detachably engaging the spout, and a vent carried by said spring mounting member. V e v 5. The combination with a. receptacle" cover having a pouring opening of a vent tube;ha'ving a portion underlying said cover and a second portion constructed and arranged to vent-through said opening, and. means for detachably securing said vent inventing relation to said opening, said means including a spring mounting member adapted to be engaged about said opening;

6. The'combination witha receptacle having .a

pouring openingpf vent means andtattaching means for attaching the vent means to therecepe tacle, the attaching means being so constructed and arranged as toefiect attachment byiresi-lient cooperation with the receptacle at therpouring p nin r J V I 7. The combination with-a receptacleahaving a preformedpouring opening of vent'means and attaching means forattaching :thevent imeans to the receptacle, the "attachingmeans: being so constructed and arranged as to effect attachment by. cooperation with the receptacle at, the pouring opening without deformation of the receptacle and being detacha ble therefrom. W

8. The combination with a receptacle havingza pouring opening of vent: means 'and attaching means for attaching the vent means to the-receptacle, the. attaching means comprising aportion adapted to snap into place to attach the vent means, o the re ep e. ,7 V

flombma i n wit a. r c tac ha ng r fu n n j en ;msan yan a ta .hin means for attaching the vent meanstotherecept'acle, .the attaching means comprising-a por tion adaptedto snap into place aboutlthe pouring opening. l

10. The combination with a receptacle, having a pouring opening of yentmea'ns andattaching meansfor attaching thev'ent means to the recep tacle, the attaching means cooperating with th receptacle at'the'pouring opening and resiliently holding the vent means in place.

smartes H. aomison. 

